Fresh violence in Manipur’s Senapati leaves houses burnt, CRPF constable injured

New Delhi: Violence broke out in Taphou and adjoining areas of Manipur’s Senapati district on Monday, leaving several houses damaged and a CRPF constable injured in firing. The trouble began with a predawn fire at Taphou Kuki and later escalated as fresh incidents were reported in neighbouring areas.

According to Ukhrul Times, a fire was reported at a house in Taphou Kuki at about 2.40am. Police were informed soon after, and the fire brigade reached the area at around 3.30am, as security personnel were already present near the Senapati district gate.

An eyewitness, D Digabou, told ANI that local volunteers noticed the fire and alerted the police. He said one house was completely burnt, while the other two houses were damaged. The eyewitness also said “one CRPF jawan was injured and we rushed him to the hospital.”

The cause of the initial fire has not been established. According to Kukiland Media, residents of Taphou Kuki alleged that suspected members of the National Socialist Council of Nagaland (Isak-Muivah) (NSCN-IM), the Zeliangrong United Front (Kuki) (ZUF-K) and village volunteers were involved in the incident. The report said these allegations had not been verified or confirmed by police, and they should be treated as unconfirmed claims from local residents rather than established fact.

The situation reportedly worsened after 4am, with incidents reported from areas around 9 Manipur Rifles and Mareimei. Ukhrul Times reported that houses associated with Naga residents were damaged or burnt in the subsequent incidents.

One of the houses reportedly belonged to a resident of Lai village, a Poumai Naga settlement, while another was linked to a resident of Phuba village, also identified as a Poumai Naga settlement. Accounts differ on the exact number of houses affected, so the full extent of the damage remains to be established.

At about 9.20am, firing was reported during a spot inspection, leaving a 54-year-old CRPF constable from the 36th Battalion injured. The constable was taken to the district hospital in Senapati for treatment. He was reportedly unable to establish where the bullet had come from, with firing apparently taking place from both sides.

This has left the circumstances of the shooting unclear. There was no immediate confirmation from police identifying those responsible for the firing, or establishing whether it was directly connected to the earlier house-burning incidents.

The Taphou Kuki village authority issued a statement condemning the burning of the house in Taphou Kuki, calling it unacceptable and urging authorities to investigate and identify those responsible. It appealed to people in the area to avoid further violence and resolve disputes through dialogue, and gave those allegedly responsible 24 hours to come forward and settle the matter under Kuki customary law.

It warned that it would not accept responsibility for any “untoward incident” if the issue was not resolved within the deadline.

The latest incidents come as tensions between Naga and Kuki groups remain high in parts of Manipur’s hill districts. Taphou and its surrounding areas have been particularly sensitive, with competing community claims, earlier confrontations and the presence of security forces adding to the volatility.

Security personnel have been deployed in the affected areas following the latest violence. The exact number of houses damaged or burnt, the circumstances that led to the firing, and whether there were any further casualties were not immediately clear.

The identities of those responsible for the arson and shooting also remained unconfirmed as authorities continued to assess the situation.